Transport the key: ECape MEC

Public transport must help people access socio-economic opportunities, Eastern Cape transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu said on Tuesday.

 

"This product will be a lasting legacy of the current term of government, which will be appreciated by many generations to come," she said at the launch of the province's integrated transport master plan in East London, according to a copy of her speech.

 

The plan was aimed at improving the quality of life of Eastern Cape residents, supporting economic growth, and improving access to community services and facilities. It would focus on inter-town and long-distance public transport. The intention was to establish a provincial public transport network.

 

Arrangements needed to be made with existing operators, such as the minibus taxi industry, to help make the shift to the new system. It was proposed the new system would be operated by businesses the local operators formed.

 

Several such contracts were envisaged based on geographic areas and operational circumstances, said Marawu.

 

Only 15.5 percent of households in the Eastern Cape had a car, and 15.9 percent used minibus taxis. Nearly fifty percent of travel within the province was for educational purposes, the highest in South Africa.

 

About a third of households spent more than 10 percent of their income on transport. A "shocking" 23 percent spent more than 20 percent of their income on public transport, she said.